Tips for designing effective AI templates

Creating effective AI templates is one of the best ways to standardise documentation across your practice. These best-practice tips will help you structure templates that produce predictable, high-quality notes, letters and reports with Bookem’s AI scribe.

Keep your template structure simple

Simple templates are more reliable. Use only the layout elements that genuinely add value:

  • Headings

  • Sections

  • Signature block

  • Logo or header (if needed)

Avoid over-formatting - the AI fills content more cleanly when the structure is straightforward.

Use one AI block per section

If you want a document with multiple sections, add an AI block for each one.

For example:

  • Background

  • Assessment findings

  • Clinical impression

  • Recommendations

This keeps content organised and makes it easy to regenerate only the section you want to edit.

Keep prompts short and focused

Bookem understands natural language extremely well, so your prompts don’t need to be long or complex.

Good prompts are:

  • Clear

  • Brief

  • Specific to the section

  • Focused on structure or tone

Example:

“Summarise assessment findings using transcript only. Use bullet points.”

Let the template handle structure, not the prompt

If your template already includes headings, your prompts should focus on content, not formatting.

Better:

“Fill this section with concise, clinically accurate information.”

Not needed:

“Create a heading named Assessment.”

The cleaner the separation, the better the output.

Use tone instructions to guide the output

Tone influences how the AI writes:

  • “Use clinical, professional language.”

  • “Use clear, parent-friendly language.”

  • “Use neutral, factual tone.”

Adjust tone per block if needed.

Save prompts into the template when you want consistency

If you use the same phrasing every time (e.g., GP letters or progress notes), embed the prompt directly into the template.

If you want flexibility, leave the block empty and select a prompt during document generation.

Decide whether you need a layout at all

Use layout only when it adds value:

Use a full layout for:

  • Letters

  • Reports

  • Documents that need a signature block

Use no layout for:

  • Progress notes

  • Quick summaries

  • SOAP notes

Simple templates tend to generate the cleanest output.

Use variables to automatically personalise your documents

Bookem allows you to insert variables into your templates - a unique feature that automatically pulls information into your final document.

Variables save time and ensure consistency, especially when generating letters or structured reports.

Common variables you can add:

  • Allergies

  • Patient ID number

  • Team member name

Test your template with a real transcript

Run a test generation after building or editing your template to ensure:

  • Sections appear as expected

  • Tone and format match your workflow

  • The output fills the correct areas

A quick test ensures the final template behaves predictably for your whole practice.

Learn more:

AI document template trouble-shooting